Doug Ryan If you walk the docks of any marina in the U.S., you’ll spot plenty of old fiberglass beauties from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Names like Pearson, O’Day, and Cal once ruled the waves—but today, those companies are gone. What happened? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at 10 American sailboat brands … Read more
If you follow the sailing world, the name Catalina Yachts carries weight—five decades of building sailboats defined by simplicity, strength, and value. Lately, however, rumors and high-profile moves are causing people to ask: is everything changing? With new ownership, bold design launches like the recently revealed Catalina 48, and whispers about factory shutdowns and unpaid … Read more
Getting started with sailing is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Whether you’re learning on a dinghy or a small cruising yacht in inland or coastal waters, the key is to focus on practical skills and safety. Here are ten hands-on sailing tips for beginners—these will help you and your family build … Read more
Ever dreamt of hoisting the sails, catching the wind, and leaving the land behind? Whether you’re chasing sunset anchorages, planning a big life change, or just curious about the sailing lifestyle, learning to sail starts with the right school. But which one? With dozens of options across the country, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 … Read more
Sailing is one of those lifestyles that looks glamorous from the outside: sunsets over the water, cocktails on deck, a breeze in your hair. And while that part is true, sailors also live in a world of quirky traditions, strange terminology, and “you had to be there” moments. Here are 10 things only sailors truly … Read more
When you stroll through a marina today, chances are you’ll see rows of sailboats that were built during one of the most prolific eras in boating history—the 1970s and early 1980s. This was the golden age of fiberglass boatbuilding, when affordable production sailboats brought cruising to the masses. Boatbuilders were cranking out thousands of hulls … Read more
For a lot of people, sailing looks like a hobby reserved for lottery winners and folks named “Chadwick” who sip champagne on gleaming yachts. Google “sailboat” and you’ll see glossy photos of 60-foot catamarans, linen pants, and boats with names like Liquid Assets. No wonder the average person thinks, I could never afford that. But … Read more
Welcome to the Golden Era of Sailboats From the 1970s through the mid-1980s, North America saw a boom in sailboat production like never before—or since. Fueled by advances in fiberglass construction and a growing appetite for adventure on the water, manufacturers churned out thousands of sailboats annually. The result? A fleet of durable, affordable, and … Read more
What Really Counts as a Pocket Cruiser? Let’s set the record straight: when we talk about pocket cruisers, we’re not talking about 36-foot floating condos. We’re talking about small sailboats—under 30 feet long—that are seaworthy, smartly designed, and truly livable. These little giants pack more punch per foot than you might imagine and are perfect … Read more
Have you looked out over your local marina lately and noticed something missing? The hustle of rigging, the excitement of race days, the crowded start lines… all replaced by quiet docks and empty race calendars. If you feel like sailboat racing is disappearing, you’re not imagining it. Let’s take a closer look at what’s really … Read more